Electrically operated machine gun apparatus



Jan. 6, 1942. F. M. NEW

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MACHINE GUN APPARATUS Filed NOV. 2, 1939 V 5 Shee ts-Sheet l I INTERRUPI'ER AND "5 maeer noroemuo I4! 27 uawrcmcmrs R -BREAKER TO SCOREBOARD TRIGGER LOW CURRENT RELR V :25

RED LIGHT WHITE LIGHTS 4- R2 RI 255:? TIME DELAY RELAY INVENTOR. V

v E 93 FREDM/VEIM Jan. 6, 1942. F. M. NEW 2,269,410

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MACHlNE GUN APPARATUS Filed Nov. 2, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheei 2 INVENTOR. FEED M NEW.

" ATENT HGENF Jan. 6, 1942. F. M. NEW 2,269,410

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MACHINE GUN APPARATUS v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 82 Filed NOV. 2, 1959 .a-I E. INVENTOR.

' FRED M NEW.

P/ITENT' AGENZ Jan. 6, 1942. F. M. NEW 2,269,410

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MACHINE GUN AI PARATUS Filed Nov. 2, 1939 v 5 Sheets -Sheet 4 I INVENTOR. F250 M NEW.

F. M. NEW

Jan. 6, 1942.

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MACHINE GUN-APPARATUS Filed Nov. 2, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR.

FEED M. New

TEN]: HGENF Patented Jan. 6, 1942 ELECTRICALLY orcm'ran MACHINE GUN APPARATUS Fred M. New, New York, N. Y., assignor to Fredcraft Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 2, 1939, Serial No. 302,580

Claims.

This invention relates to shooting devices and refers particularly to electrically operated ballistic game apparatus simulating machine gun operation.

It is a purpose of the present invention to provide apparatus of the above-nature wherein objects are made to move at relatively different speeds and preferably in different directions, at least one of said objects forming a target to be aimed at.

It-is another purpose of the present invention to mount at least some of such objects on rotatable transparent or translucent drums, which may be illuminated from within to make visible the objects from without in a substantially completely closed housing.

Still another purpose of the invention resides in the provision of electrical means to make and break electrical connection between a contact point adjacent'an object, to which said point is arrange said aiming device (which is preferably swingably supported) with respect to a target and its related contact point such as, that, when the sight piece of said aiming device is coordinated with said target, electrical contact will be established between a part carried by the aiming device and said target contact point, thereby scoring a hit through an electrical circuit in which said aiming device is included, when a switch in the form of the trigger ofsaid aiming device is closed.

Yet, a further purpose of the invention is to provide means to indicate a correct hit establishedzby said closed circuit, both within and without the said housing of said apparatus.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a circuit interrupting means operable independently of the aforementioned circuit (of which the trigger forms a, part) for imitating the number of shots supposedly made, when the trigger is pulled; said "interrupting means further operating mechanism to indicate the number of hits supposedly achieved.

Still another object of th present invention is to provide means for limiting swinging movethis invention accordingly consist in the features of construction, combination. of parts and in the unique relations of the members and in the relative proportioning and disposition thereof; all as more completely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to comprehend the underlyingfeatures thereof that they may embody the same by th numerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated. by this invention, drawings particularly depicting a certain form of the invention have been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and d in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which:

Fig. 1 is a wiring diagram of electrical connections employable in an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention, the stand on which the apparatus is mounted being broken off.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the housing of the apparatus, shown in Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of parts located within said housing including a portion of the inner drum.

Fig. 5 is a frontelevational view of the drums visible through an end of said housing.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view showing the driving tion.

ment of said aiming device so that said contact These and other objects are accomplished and Fig. 11 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the shot counter of Fig. 10 in releasing position.

Fig. 12 isa front elevational view of the shot counter.

Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of the hit counter unit. I

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view of the hit counter unit illustrated in Fig. 13.

Figs. 15 and 16 are front and rear elevational views of a part of the interrupter unit employed in connection with the invention.

Fig. 17 is a side elevational view of the interrupter unit and it driving motor.

Fig. 18 is a schematic front view of the scor board employable in connection with the invention.

Now referring to the drawings and particularly to the wiring diagram shown inFig. 1, the operation in outline of the apparatus, which in this example is coin-operated, is as follows:

The legs S, Sa are connected to a source of power (not shown). Legs I9, I9, I81: lead from legs S, So to the group SL of score board lights to attract the eye of the public. Leg S leads through fuse F to a timer-relay I8 and connects with one terminal of the primary of transformer T1 through leads II, I2 and to one terminal of the primary of transformer T1 through conductor I6. The other leg Sa connects with the other terminal of primary T1 through leads I4, I and with the other terminal of primary T2 through conductors I4, I1.

Timer-relay I8 is placed in circuit upon insertion of a 00111111 a conventional manner, whereby the slide (not shown), but well known in the art is retracted for operation of the timer-relay I8.

Secondary coils of transformers T1 and T2 are thereby energized making the shooting" device ready for operation, as it will be explained hereinafter.

The apparatus is reset to its normal starting position in the following manner:

Shot reset relay SR and hit reset relay HR are set to zero through a circuit, in which momentary reset contact RC is included, which circuit comprises: secondary coil of T1, conductor 6|, terminal E, terminal B, conductors 44, 43, time delay relay R1, conductors 42, 38, normally open switch contacts 36, 31, conductor 35, normally closed contacts 33, 34, conductors 32, I44, 3|, terminal C, conductor 38 back to secondary coil of transformer T1. Simultaneously momentary reset contact RC closes (by means of the coin-slideof the coin-operated machine) and establishes the following circuit: Secondary winding of transformer T1, conductor 38, terminal C, conductors 3|, 4|, reset contact RC, conductor 48, terminal D, conductors 58, 5|, 52, 53 through shot reset relay SR, conductors 54, 51, 58, 59, 68, terminal E, conductor 6I back to the secondary winding of T1. Hit reset relay HR is in multiple with said shot reset relay SR through conductors 55, 56 and therefore,will operate simultaneously therewith.

The closing of the primary circuit of T1 by closing the timer I8 upon insertion of said coin causes also energization of interrupter motor MI and target motor MT through the following circuits:

Motor MI: leg SaLterminal A, conductors 28, 2| through motor MI, conductors 24, 25, normally closed switch contacts 26 and 21, conductors 28,

I6, terminal G, timer I8, conductor'II, fuse F and leg S;

Motor MT: leg Sa, terminal A, conductors I9, 22, through motor MT, conductors 23, 25, switch contacts 26 and 21, conductors 28, I6, terminalG, timer I 8, conductor II, fuse F and leg S.

The apparatus is thus made ready for target shooting by the operator, who observes the targets and objects in motion on drums 15, 16

'drum 16, but which targets have been omitted from the drawings for the sake of clarity.

While aiming at the moving target, say 1811, through a lens system I", such as for example described in copending application Serial No. 292,828, filed Aug. 31, 1939, and further through sight pieces I6I, I92 (Figs. 3 and 4) the trigger switch 98 is pulled closing the following circuits through trigger contacts 9|, 92:

Circuit of noise maker NM, which simulates machine gun firing noise, is established from contact 92 through conductor 93, interrupter IR, conductors 95, 38 through seconda y of transformer T1, conductor 6|, terminal B, conductor 44, resettime delay relay R2, conductors 96, 91 back to contact 9I of trigger switch 98. Energization of relay R: through the said noise maker circuit causes breaking of contacts 33, 34 (normally closed) thus interrupting of the abovementioned circuit through reset time delay relay R1 by opening contacts 36, 31 and consequently breaking the shot reset (SR) and hit reset (HR) circuits. The pulling of the trigger 98 sets shot counter SC and hit counter HC in starting operative position through the following circuits:

Shot counter SC Contact 9| of trigger 98, conductor II8, through shot counter SC, conductors I I I, I I2, switch contacts H3, H4 (which are normally closed) conductors H5, H6, 51, 58-, 59, 68, terminal E,conductor 6|, secondary of transformer T1, conductors 38, 95, interrupter IR, conductor 93, and then to contact 92.

Hit counter HC Hit counter HC, conductor II8, through switch contacts II9, I28, conductors I2I, I26, interrupter IR, conductors 95, 38, secondary of transformer (Figs. 6 and 8) which are driven through target T1, conductors 6|, 68, 59, 58, 51, H6, H5, switch contact points H4, H3, conductors H2, III to hit counter HC.

To actuate hit counter HC, switch'contacts I I9, I28, which are normally open, have to be brought into engagement which is achieved by the following circuit upon closing the same, when the target is hit by the operator, who is aiming at the same while pulling the trigger switch 98.

This circuit comprises: how current relay LCR,

conductor I24, hunting contact I23, target contact 18, conductor I22, interrupter IR, conductors 95, 38, secondary coil of transformer T1, conductor 6| and return conductor I25 to LCR.

Target drum 15 of translucent material is illuminated preferably from within said drum by white lights I38.

White lights I38 remain in circuit for display purposes and are only switched off when the red light |3I is put into circuit, all this being done automatically through double-throw-switch I34, I35, I 36 and in the. following manner:

Common leg'I35 of said double-throw-switch is connected to conductor 24 and from there with conductor 25, switch contacts 26, 21, conductors 28, I6, terminal G, timer I8, conductor II, fuse F, leg S of power line; Conductor I32 commonto both white and red lights I38 and I3I is connected to conductor I9, terminal A and leg Sa of power line.

Red light I 3| is connected through conductor I31 with contact I36 of said double-throw-switch;

contact with terminal I34 in the white light circult.

7 -It is evident that, upon "hit being made, energized relayLCR will disconnect leg- I35 from contact I34 and will bring said leg I35 into contact with terminal I35, thereby putting out said white lights and switching on the red light to indicate that a hit" has been made.

After predetermined shots" have been made, including hits and misses normally open end switch ES is closed, as hereinafter further explained, establishing the following circuit through conductor I40, relay Ra, conductor I4I, I42, I43, terminal H, conductor I44, 3|, terminal C, conductor 30 to secondary coil of transformer T1, conductor terminal E, conductors 50, 59, 58, 51, H5, I45, I45 back to switch ES. The energization of relay R: in this circuit causes breaking of switch contacts I I3, I I4 as well as of switch contacts 25, 21, whereby hit counter HC and shot counter SC circuits and simultaneously the circuits for interrupter motor IM, target motor TM and white lights I30 are opened.

Referring now more in detail to the mechanical instrumentalities concerning the shooting apparatus, Fig. 2 shows the latter in assembled condition comprising a closed housing I50, swingably or pivotally mounted on a support I5l at I52. Projecting from the rear wall I53 of said housing I50 therewithin is a rifle-like or aiming device, generallyindicated by numeral I54, having as main parts a trigger 90, a barrel I55, sight pieces IIII, I02 mounted on the latter, and a universal bearing I55 positioned within said housing I50 and between said-trigger 90 and said barrel I55. Further contained within said housing I50 is a drum arrangement consisting of two drums 15, 15, which are concentrically disposed and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis I51. One of said drums, for example drum has a portion 11 carrying the contacts 18, 19 etc. (Fig. 4). Barrel I55 has a longitudinally slidable and yieldable end'contact portion I58 carrying the contact point I23., Contact point I23 is constantly urged against the peripheral surface I59 of said drum portion 11 by means of a spring I50 seated in the barrel I55. Universal swinging tion or drum 1:. Target motor in with its driving shaft. "041- is also mounted on base plate I58 and is further secured in position by a spacer Illa. extending between a standard of said framework and theendof'said shaft ,I10a pro viding also a bearing for said shaft- Depending from top plate I59 to which it is attached, as at I59a and I59b-and facing the operator is a frame or curtain I12a having a cut-out I13a through which may be viewed from the stand of the oprotatable screen means; It is understood that movement of barrel I is limited by means of a stop device I80a having horizontal bars I5I, I52 and vertical bars I53, I54 for the purpose to lead and guide said barrel I55 with its projecting end contact portion I58 in such manner that the contact point I23 will always contact the peripheral surface I59 of drum 11 and is prevented from slipping off or moving beyond predetermined extremities, thereby assuring smooth fol-' lowing of contact point I23 on said surface I59. Thus the yieldable and spring supported end portion I58 of barrel I55 is enabled to project and retract in order to span the varying distance be-.

I55. I55 and I51 which are fixed between base plate I88 and top plate I59. Drum 15 is supported by and journaled on the upper part of drum portion 11, the latter forming a continualighting effects emanating from white lights I30 and reflector screen I15 positioned behind'said white lights will add life to and give anaesthetic touch to the panoramic view.

Fig. 7 illustrates cables which lead to common lead I32, white light conductor I33 and red light conductor I31 which cables project from the top of the drum 15 through hollow shaft I51.

From the interrupter IR, conductor I22 leads to a contact wiper I15, the latter engaging. a disc I11 secured to the bottom of the contacts carrying drum -portionO11 to rotate therewith about shaft I51. Contacts 18, I9, 80, 8| and 82 are connected together through wires I18, and to disc I11 through wire I19. Contacts 18, 19 etc. are related to targets 18a, 19a, etc. that is, for instance, when target 18a is sighted through sight pieces IOI, I02 and aimed at by the-operator, the contact point I23 at the barrel end contact portion I58- willengage with the contact point 18 of the drum portion 11 so that when the trigger 90 is pulled the'closing .of a hit counter circuit through 9I, 92 (as hereinbefore described) is effected and, current will flow from interrupter IR through conductor I22,, contact I15, disc I11, wires I19 and I18, contact 18 on drum portion 11, contact I23 on barrel projection I58, the latter making connection through conductor I24 (see Figs. 1 and 4) to low current relay LCR.

At this moment a hit is counted in H0 and signaled by red light I3I,' whereas the white lights are switched off, as heretofore explained.

Referring now to Figs. 10 to 12 which show the shot counter and shot reset mechanisms, there is provided ratchet wheel I10 on a shaft I1I rotatably mounted on frame I12. A spring (not shown) is provided to return wheel I10 to its initial starting position after the same has been rotated a predetermined amount by means of the dog I13. This dog I13 is pivotally mounted at "411 on an arm I14 which is swingable in bearing I15 about stud I18, said bearing I15 being secured to frame I12 by means of bolts I11. Dog I13 is urged into engagement with the teeth of wheel I10 by means of a spring I18. Arm I14 has attached to it at an end 'I19a, one end of a coil spring I19, the other end of which is secured at I19b to the frame I12. Plunger I of shot counter relay SC is pivotally connected'at I8I to said arm I14, adjacent stops I82, I83, which limit the swinging movement of arm "4', as clearly seen in Figs. 10 and 11.'

Further mounted on frame I12 is shot reset of dial ZIII.

operates with a pawl I89 which pivots about pin I90 on frame I12 to maintain the rotative position of wheel I10 after the latter has been moved by said dog I13. To this end pawl I89 has at one end'thereof a coilspring I 9| which latter is attached with its other end to frame I12 at I92 so as to urge pawl I89 against a tooth of said wheel I10. Dog. I13 is guided by its stud I93 on a reduced portion I94 of arm I95 of lever I85.

Upon energization of shot counterrelay SC in a manner hereinbefore explained, plunger I88 is attracted into the coil of relay SC, thereby swinging the arm I14 against action of spring I19 toward stop I83 and causing the dog I13 to engage with a tooth adjacent to the one which was previously engaged by said dog. Upon release of relay SC spring I19 which has been under tension will retract, carrying with it arm I14, the latter pushing dog I13 forwardly and thereby caus- I84 is drawn into coil of relay SR (upon energization of the latter in a manner hereinbefore explained) compelling lever I85 to swing about its pivot I86 againststop I81 and thereby causing pawl-I89 to rotate about pivot I98 against action of spring I9I. This will result in withdrawal of pawl I89 from the ratchet tooth of wheel I18, as shown in Fig. 1.1, and permit dog I13 through the connection of its pin I93 to be lifted against tension ofspring I18, thus permitting wheel I18 by action of the said spring (not shown) to return to its starting position.

The apparatus is made inoperative by actuation of end switch ES after a certain number of shots have.been made. Wheel I18 carries on one of its arms I96 an abutment I91 which closes switch ES after the wheel I18 with said abutment has been rotated to such extent representing a predetermined number of shots, at which time said abutment I91 will cause contact between blades I98 and. I99 of switch ES, thus energizing relay R3 to disconnect switch contacts H3, H4 and 26 and 21 as explained hereinbefore.

. These disconnections will open up the circuits {or the interrupter motor MI, target motor MT and white lights I38.

The apparatus may also be made inoperative by the timer I0 in the event that the total number of shots are not made within a predetermined time limit.

As will be realized by Fig. 12 wheel shaft l1I carries a pointer 288 which rotates over the face Pointer 280 may be counterbalanced by a lever 282 carrying two friction brake shoes 203 and 284 positioned at the rear of the dial plate 28 I. 'Frarne I12 may carry a distributor plug 285 whicli is' connected by wires (not shown) to distributor panel 286 having connection terminals for the. various electrical parts mounted on frame I12. Numbers indicated on panel 286 correspond to numbers on distributor plug 285. The

The hit counter HC and hit reset HR mecha- 75 (ill nisms are shown in Figs. 13 and 14 and are similar to those mechanisms illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 regarding shot counter SC and shot reset SR, in that there is a ratchet wheel 258 rotatably mounted in a frame 25I and carried by a shaft 252. Further, relay HO and the parts in operative connection therewith, such as, plunger 253, arm 254, stops 255, 258, dog 251, springs 258 and 259 correspond to like parts and are arranged and associated and function as those parts described and shown with respect to Figs. 18 and 11.

Similarly relay HS and the parts in operative connection therewith, such as, plunger 268, T-shaped lever 26I, pawl 262, spring 263 correspond to like parts and are arranged and asso* ciated and function as the parts described and shown with respect to Figs. 10 and 11.

The spring, which returns ratchet wheel 258 to its initial position (and which is similar to that stated but not shown with respect to wheel I18 of Figs. 10 and 11) is indicated by numeral 264 in Fig. 14. Whereas the mechanism of Fig. 10 is provided with a dial 28I (Fig. 12) the mechanism of Fig. 13 is provided with a contact carrying plate. On shaft 252 there is fixed to rotate therewith a double arm 265 having diametrically opposed fingers 266 and 261, the finger 266 being longer than the finger 261, said fingers carrying contact points 268 and 269, respectively. Point 268 is arranged to engage successively with contact points of a circumferentially arranged row of contacts 218 to which another row of contacts 21I is concentrically disposed. This latter or inner row 21I is engageable by contact point 269 of finger 261.

By energization of hit counter relay HC, as hereinabove explained, dog 251 will rotate forwardly wheel 258 to the extent of one tooth. Since the double arm 265 is fixed to shaft 252 on which toothed wheel 250 is likewise fixed, the said double arm will be rotated from one contact point to the next succeeding contact point on each row 218 and 21I.

In my copending application Serial No. 287,047 filed July 28, 1939 (Fig. 4) there is shown a controller system with wiring connections to a score board, the controller having concentrically arranged rows of contacts for engagement respectively with contact fingers so that as hits are being made, circuits are closed for indicating the number of hits made, one row, for instance, representing scores of 200, 400, 600 and 800 and another row representing scores of 1000, 2000 etc. These rows correspond to the concentrically arranged rows 218, 21I of contacts in Fig. 13 herein and as hits are being made they will be reflected in a similar score board as disclosed in said copending application to which reference is hereby made for a clear understanding thereof. It is apparent, however, that any conventional hit counter system or score board may be employed for the apparatus made in accordance with this invention. In Fig. 1 two leads 58, 58a may connect with such-controller system, one lead being electrically connected to the double arm 265 and the other being the return from the score board (not shown), the latter being wire connected with respective contact points of said rows 218, 21I. Leads 58 and 58a are connected respectively to secondary winding of transformer T: (Fig. 1)

Fig. .17 shows the assembly of the interrupter unit IR with its driving motor MI. The interrupter unit IR isconnected to said motor MI by means of ashaft 280 having an end to which is secured a crank-like part 28l. Said part 28I carries a LI-shaped yoke 282 having contact shoes 283, 284. Between said part 28I and each of said shoes 283, 284 there are seated on the legs 285 and 286 of said yoke 282 respective coil springs 281 and 288 to resiliently urge said shoes respectively against the contact ring 289 and segmentary ring 290 fixed on one face of an insulated disc 2!, the other face thereof carrying terminals 292. Segmentary ring 290 has its alternate segments 299a, 290b, 2900, 290d, 290e connected to common terminal 295 (Fig. 1) through the terminal connections 292a, 292b, 2920, 292d, 292e,' whereas segments 293a, 293b,

2930, 293d, 293s are blanks and are only used to interrupt connections intermediate alternate current carrying segments 290a, 290b, 2900, 290d, 29Ile. Contact ring 289 is connected to conductor 95 (Fig. 1) through its terminal 95a. When motor MI is rotating shaft 280, the latter will carry with it yoke 282 and since the shoes 283, 284 bridge ring 289 and the aforesaid segments, said yoke will establish electrical connection between ring 289 and each current carrying segment 290a or 29% or 2980 or 290d or 290a and therefore between conductors 95 and 295, but the current will be interrupted at the segments 293a, 293b, 2930, 293d and 293e between said current carrying segments.

Insulated disc 2! is fixed to studs 29Ia of a disc-shaped mounting 29Ib, the said disc having an opening 29lc and the said mounting having a similar opening (not shown) through which shaft 280 projects for free rotation carrying with it part 28I and yoke 282.

By this simple and effective arrangement the current flowing through the trigger circuit, whether a target is hit or not, is interrupted and said circuit made and broken for producing impulses (representing shots) to the shot counter relay SC for ultimate recording by the indicator 200 of Fig. 12 of the number of shots made.

Summarizing the operation of the apparatus, the same is actuated by insertion of a coin into a coin-slot of conventional type, which closes the timer circuit, when the slide of said coinslot is pushed inwardly (as it is well known in the art), and energizes thereby the shot and hit counter reset circuits through transformer T1. Since simultaneously white lights I30, the motor MI for interrupter IR and also the motor MT for target drums are put into respective circuits, the apparatus is thus placed in its initial starting position. If now trigger 90 is pulled, the circuit for the noise maker NM, as well as the circuit for shot counter SC are closed and will open and close again in accordance with the operations of interrupter IR. While moving barrel I55 of the shooting device I54 and if proper aim is made at the moving targets 18a or 19a, etc., electrical contact between contact point I23 of barrel part I58 and the contact point I8 or 19, etc.

will be established, thus completing the circuit for low current relay LCR, which influences switch contacts ll9-I20 and double-throwswitch l34--I35-I38, whereby white lights I30 I schematically in- Fig. 18.

Although the said scoreboard and the wiring connections between it and the conductors 58, 58a of Fig. 1 may be one of any of the conventional types to indicate the number of electrical make-and-breaks in an amusement device, it is preferable to employ an indicating device having a scoreboard and electrical wiring connections thereto similar to those disclosed in said copend- -ing patent application Serial No. 287,047.

caused by interrupter IR), shot counter unit (Fig.

1 10) which is thereby operated will close through iii its abutment I91 end switch ES, which latter will cause relay R3 to be energized for actuation of the circuit breaker and separating ilts contacts H3, H4 and 28, 21, whereby the circuits for the motors MT and MI will be opened and the apparatus will thus cease to function (independently of the timer III) until another coin is inserted in the coin slot (not shown). Upon insertion of said another coin, the apparatus is made operative again, reset mechanisms, as hereinbefore explained, will function to permit wheels I10 (Fig. 10) and 250 (Fig. 13) to be reset, thus disconnecting end switch blades I98, I99 from each other, deenergizing relay R3 and closing again normally closed switch contacts H3, I I4 and 26, 21 for a new performance.

The apparatus may be further equipped with a device similar-to the interrupter unit IR. as disclosed in Figs. 16 to 18, which device may be utilized to intermittently light up successive bulbs indicating various stages of a' falling target (such as an airplane), when "hit in accordance with the above-described manner. Such bulbs are generally outlined on scoreboard shown in Fig. 18 and indicated by L1 to L5.

It willthus be seen that there has been provided by this invention an apparatus of the char-.

acter described in which the various objects here inabove set forth, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is.

to be understood that all matters hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Referring to Fig. 1 that portion thereof between dot-and-dash lines X--X and YY is located within said housing I58, whereas the portion below line YY is positioned in base I5I, and the portion above line XX is placed in scoreboard, shown in Fig. 18.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. An apparatus of the character described comprising a movable target having one contact point coordinated therewith, an aiming device for said movable target and having another contact point, and electrical means provided in a circuit, said circuit being closable, when said contact points are brought into electrical engagement with each other, to'indicate through said electrical 'means, if said movable ,target is properly aimed at by said device, said electrical means including groups of lamps positioned behind said cordance with the make and breaks of said contact points. 2. An apparatus of the character described,

comprising rotatable means, a target, a first electrical circuit, a contact point in said first circuit and coordinated with said target, said rotatable. means having at least a translucent portion aiming device and adapted for engagement'with. said target contact point for closing said first circuit upon proper aiming at said target,'and electrical means in said second circuit, said electrical means being under influence of said first circuit when the latter is closed for indicating through said translucent portion by one of said groups of lamps, if said target is properly aimed at.

, 3. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing; a first rotatable means, a second rotatable means, both of said means carrying dififerentobjects'and rotating relatively to each other about an axis, one of said means being providedwith electrical contact points, each contact point being coordinated with an object carried by said one of said means, lamp means adapted to illuminate said objects on both of said rotatable means, said rotatable means being concentrically arranged within said housing, an aiming device swingably mounted at a wall of said housing and projecting from without into said housing, said device being adapted for alignment with'an object on said one of said means and being provided with an electric contact point complementary to each one of said first-named contact points, and an electric circuit, said circuit being closable by said complementary contact point upon producing electrical connection between it and one of said first-named contact points, whereby proper alignment of said device with an object with which said one of said firstnamed contact points is coordinated, is indicated through said circuit by said lamp means.

comprising a movable carrier, a target, a contact point coordinated with said target, said target and said contact point located on said carrier, means illuminating said target through said carrier, said illuminating means including groups of electric lamps, first and second group, respectively, a first electrical circuit, a second electrical circuit, said illuminating means being included in said second circuit, a device for aiming at said target and having a contact piece, said piece being brought in electrical connection with said contact point and closing said first circuit upon proper aiming at said target by said device, said closed first circuit electrically influencing said second circuit, whereby said first or said second group of electric lamps is put into said second circuit.

5. An apparatus of the character described. comprising, a target, an aiming device in front of said target, and means in the rear of said target, said means including groups of electric lamps, first and second, respectively, said aiming device being adapted to be swung into and out of alignment with said target, Saidfirst of said groups illuminatingsaid target when said aiming device is in said aligned position, said second of said groups illuminating said target when said is in out-of-alignment position.

6. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a translucent carrier, a target positioned on said carrier, indicating means, a device for aiming at said target and located in front of said carrier, said carrier being rotatable about said indicating means and illuminated thereby, and means for making inoperative one of said indicating means and making operative another of said indicating means upon said device being properly aimed at said target during rotation of said carrier.

device 7. An apparatus of the character described, 7

comprising a housing,,a translucent drum carrying a target thereon and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a device for aiming at said target and positioned in front of said drum, indicating means surrounded by said drum, said drum, said indicating means and the front portion of said device being positioned within said housing, and indicating means remote from said housing, both of said indicating means signalling the result of the accurate aiming at said target by said device.

8. An apparatus of the character described comprising screen means rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a target, a contact point for said target and positioned in proximity of said target, said target being carried on said screen means, means to rotate said screen means together with said target and said target contact point, an aiming device for said target and carrying a contact point, an electrical circuit, and electrical means in said circuit, said circuit being connected to said contact points and being closable when both contact points are in engagement with one another whereby to indicate through said electrical means in said closed circuit if said target is properly aimed at.

9. An apparatus of the character described comprising a drum rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, means adapted to continually rotate said drum, said drum having a translucent portioma target mounted on said portion,

a target contact point positioned adjacent said target on said drum, anaiming device for said target and carrying a contact point, an electrical circuit, and electrical means in said circuit and positionedbehind said portion. and circuit being connected to said contact points and being closabl when both contact points are in engagement with one another whereby to indicate means to rotate said drum, a target on said screen portion, a contact point for said target located on said drum, an aiming device for said target and carrying a contact point in front of said drum, an electrical circuit, said contact points being connected to said circuit, and electrical means in said circuit and located behind said screen portion, said circuit being closable when both said contact points are in engagement with oneanother whereby to indicate through at least one of said electrical means on said screen portion if said target is properly aimed at.

11. An apparatus of the character described comprising a drum rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, said drum being provided with a first portion forming a screen and a second portion; means to rotat said drum, a target on said screen portion, a target contact point on said second portion, an aiming device for said target and carrying a contact point in front of said drum, an electrical circuit, said contact points being connected to said circuit, said contact point of said aiming device being movable over said second portion, and electrical means in said circuit and behind said screen portion, said circuit being closable when both said contact points are in engagement with one another whereby to indicate through at least one of said electrical means on said screen portion if said target is properly aimed at. I

12. An apparatus of the character described comprising means provided with a curved surface and rotatable about asubstantially vertical axis, a target, a target contact point, said target and said target contact point being carried by said surface in spaced apart relation, driving means to rotate said first means, an aiming device for said target and carrying a contact point engaging said surface, an electrical circuit, said contact points being connected to said circuit, and electrical means provided in said circuit,

' said circuit being closable upon bodily engagement of said contact points with one another whereby to indicate through said electrical means at said surface if said target is properly aimed at.

13. An apparatus of the character described comprising rotatable screen means, first and sect 0nd, respectively, a target, a target contact point, said target and saidcontact point being carried by said first means, at least one object being carried by said second means, means adapted to rotate said screen means relatively to each other I carrying a complementary contact point, said face and provided with a substantially vertical I axis, a target, a contact point for said target said target and said contact point being carried by said surface and in spaced apart relation means to rotate said screen means, an aiming device including sight means and a complementary contact point, said complementary .contact point and said sight means being carried by said device in spaced apart relation, said complementary contact point being in permanent engagement with said surface and registrable with said target contact point, an electrical circuit, said contact points being connected to said circuit, and indicating means, said indicating means being includable in said circuit upon registry of said contact points with one another whereby said indicating means signal onsaid screen means if said target is properly aimed at through said sight means. g

15. An apparatus of the character described comprising rotatable screen means provided with an upper portion and a lower portion, respectively, said upper portion being of translucent material, a target, a contact point for said target, said target being placed on said upper portion. said target contact point being located on said lower portion, means to rotate said screen means. an aiming device provided with sight pieces and complementary contact point and said sight pieces being disposed at said device in spaced apart relation, said complementary contact point being urged to abut against said lower portion and engageable with said target contact point, an electric circuit, said contact points, being connected to said circuit, and indicating means adjacentsaid screen means, said indicating means being includable in said circuit upon engagement of said contact points with one another whereby to signal by said indicating means on said screen means that said target is properly aimed at through said sight pieces.

16. An apparatus of the character described comprising screen means rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, means to rotate said screen means, a target, a contactpoint coordinated with said target, said target and said contact point being carried by said screen means, a swingable aiming device for said target, said device being provided with a contact point projecting therefrom and springedly urged to rest on said screen-means, an electric circuit, and electrical means including lamp means provided in said circuit, both said contact points being connected to said circuit, said lamp means being encased by said screen means, said circuit being closable when both said contact points are brought in engagement with one another to indicate through said lamp means, if said target is properly aimed at by said device.

17. An apparatus of the character described comprising a base, a target rotatable about a substantially vertical axis supported by said base, an electrical contact point'for said target, said target and said contact point being disposed in fixed and spaced apart relation with respect to said axis, a device swingably mounted on said base and provided with sight pieces for observing therethrough and aiming at said target, an electrical contact point carried by said device and engageable with said target contact point, an electric circuit, said contact points being connected to said circuit, and electrical means for indicating when said target is in substantial alignment with said sight pieces, said indicating means being includable in said circuit upon said alignment being attained and upon engagementof said contact points with one another.

18. An apparatus of the character described comprising av translucent carrier rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a target positioned on said carrier, means to rotate said carrier, colored lighting means to illuminate said target on said carrier and located adjacent the latter, a device provided with sight pieces for observing therethrough and aiming at said target, an electric circuit, and means in said circuit for changing-over from one to another of said lighting means whereby to indicate, if said target is-properly aimed at.

19. An apparatus of the character described comprising a translucent drum, said drum being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. means to rotate said drum, colored lamp means encased by said drum, and a device for aimin at said target and positioned in front of said target, said device and said lamp means being connected to an electric circuit, said lamp means illuminating said drum in different colors, respectively, for signalling the result of aiming at said target by said device.

20. An apparatus of the character described comprising stationary means carrying an object representing a landscape, rotatable carrier means, first and second, respectively, an airplane target, a target contact point, said target and said contact point being carried by said first carrier means, another object representing part of the i sky carried by said second carrier means, both said rotatable carrier means being adapted to move relatively to each other, means to move said rotatable carrier meansrelatively to said stationary means, a device for aiming at said target, a contact point connected to said device,

an electrical circuit, said circuit being operable for opening and closing the same by said contact points, and indicating means in said circuit, said indicating means signalling said opening and closing operations of said circuit whereby the re.- sult of aiming at said target may be determined.

FRED M. NEW. 

